Alabama may again have four first-round draft picks

Offensive guard Chance Warmack is expected to be one of as many as four former UA players picked in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Staff file photo | Robert Sutton

By Chase GoodbreadSports Writer

Published: Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 11:44 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | Tonight, the University of Alabama football program will make perhaps its biggest recruiting impact of the year on high school prospects all over the nation, yet UA coach Nick Saban won’t have to pick up the phone even once to make it happen.

The 2013 NFL Draft opens tonight with a nationally televised first round in which the Crimson Tide is expected to have four former players’ names called for the third consecutive year. Experts project Dee Milliner to be the first of those, likely being drafted among the top 10 picks, followed in some order by offensive guard Chance Warmack, offensive tackle D.J. Fluker and running back Eddie Lacy.

“Every senior who has made a contribution to the program, and most all of them have, we really appreciate their effort, their leadership and the success they helped create,” Saban said. “We now hope they get an opportunity to do what they’d like to do, and that’s have an opportunity to play in the NFL. Hopefully, every guy will do all the things they need to do to enhance their draft status.”

Draft experts predict Lacy may be the only one of the four who could slip to the second round, because of his history of nagging injuries and the fact that running backs tend to have the shortest NFL careers of any position.

Milliner’s selection is expected to mark the fifth consecutive year that the Crimson Tide has produced a top-10 pick, following Andre Smith (2009), Rolando McClain (2010), and two each in 2011 (Marcell Dareus, Julio Jones) and 2012 (Trent Richardson, Mark Barron).

Last year, UA placed Richardson, Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and Dont’a Hightower in the first round. The year prior to that, there were four more: Dareus, Jones, James Carpenter and Mark Ingram.

On the second and third days of the draft, several other Alabama seniors are expected to be selected, among them center Barrett Jones, nose guard Jesse Williams and linebacker Nico Johnson.

“I think the more important issue, which a lot of players lose sight of, and people lose sight of, it’s not necessarily where you get drafted, it’s what kind of career you have after you get drafted,” Saban said. “I think the smart guys can focus on that and understand that. I think that’s really important to being successful.”

NFLdraftscout.com projects Williams as a late first- or early second-round choice, Jones as a third- or fourth-round pick and Johnson to go on the third day of the draft in round four or five. Other UA draft hopefuls include Damion Square, Robert Lester, Quinton Dial and tight end Michael Williams.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | Tonight, the University of Alabama football program will make perhaps its biggest recruiting impact of the year on high school prospects all over the nation, yet UA coach Nick Saban won't have to pick up the phone even once to make it happen.</p><p>The 2013 NFL Draft opens tonight with a nationally televised first round in which the Crimson Tide is expected to have four former players' names called for the third consecutive year. Experts project Dee Milliner to be the first of those, likely being drafted among the top 10 picks, followed in some order by offensive guard Chance Warmack, offensive tackle D.J. Fluker and running back Eddie Lacy.</p><p>“Every senior who has made a contribution to the program, and most all of them have, we really appreciate their effort, their leadership and the success they helped create,” Saban said. “We now hope they get an opportunity to do what they'd like to do, and that's have an opportunity to play in the NFL. Hopefully, every guy will do all the things they need to do to enhance their draft status.”</p><p>Draft experts predict Lacy may be the only one of the four who could slip to the second round, because of his history of nagging injuries and the fact that running backs tend to have the shortest NFL careers of any position.</p><p>Milliner's selection is expected to mark the fifth consecutive year that the Crimson Tide has produced a top-10 pick, following Andre Smith (2009), Rolando McClain (2010), and two each in 2011 (Marcell Dareus, Julio Jones) and 2012 (Trent Richardson, Mark Barron).</p><p>Last year, UA placed Richardson, Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and Dont'a Hightower in the first round. The year prior to that, there were four more: Dareus, Jones, James Carpenter and Mark Ingram.</p><p>On the second and third days of the draft, several other Alabama seniors are expected to be selected, among them center Barrett Jones, nose guard Jesse Williams and linebacker Nico Johnson.</p><p>“I think the more important issue, which a lot of players lose sight of, and people lose sight of, it's not necessarily where you get drafted, it's what kind of career you have after you get drafted,” Saban said. “I think the smart guys can focus on that and understand that. I think that's really important to being successful.”</p><p>NFLdraftscout.com projects Williams as a late first- or early second-round choice, Jones as a third- or fourth-round pick and Johnson to go on the third day of the draft in round four or five. Other UA draft hopefuls include Damion Square, Robert Lester, Quinton Dial and tight end Michael Williams. </p><p>Reach Chase Goodbread at chase@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0196.</p>